Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
16 / 68
24%
Sugarloaf
40 / 176
23%
Sunday River
40 / 139
29%
Pleasant Mountain
8 / 47
17%
Trail of the Day: Northern Lights (Sunday River)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
Vertical Challenge @ BigRock
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
January 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Electric Mountain:
Join fellow Sugarloafers in the Widowmaker this weekend for the 2nd. Annual Electric Mountain. This 21+ event is filled with live EDM preformances from people like Max Dansky, The HIVE, G-Space, Finneh, Mystyk Forest, and more. Check it out below!
The Vertical Challenge is set to take on BigRock on January 6, 2024. The Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain.
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Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides:
The Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides are back in Downtown Rangeley. See the full schedule below!
• Saturday, January 6th • Saturday, January 13th • Saturday, January 20th • Saturday, January 27th • Saturday, February 3rd • Saturday, February 10th • Saturday, February 17th • Sunday, February 18th 11:30-1:30pm (Winterpaloozah) • Tuesday, February 20th • Thursday, February 22nd • Saturday, February 24th • Saturday, March 2nd • Saturday, March 9th • Saturday, March 16th
Vertical Challenge @ Black Mountain of Maine:
Happening at Black Mountain of Maine on Saturday, January 20, the Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain. Learn more below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
Saddleback will host the Vertical Challenge on Sunday, January 7. The event is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities. Skiers and snowboarders are divided by gender and age to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category. Check it out by clicking the link below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
With great snowmaking temps and good conditions all around, this past week has been one you don’t want to miss. With photos coming out of the resorts like the one from Maine Mountain Media (below), it’s safe to say winter is back!
Photo: Maine Mountain Media (Taken 1.2.24)
Weather:
With some snow coming on Sunday and even more next week, the excitement is building here in the Maine mountains! See the weather and make sure to click the link below to see current lift status.
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
15 / 68
22%
Sugarloaf
36 / 176
20%
Sunday River
24 / 139
17%
Pleasant Mountain
8 / 47
17%
Trail of the Day: Blue Devil (Saddleback)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
Vertical Challenge @ BigRock
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
January 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Christmas Break:
Get ready for the always busy Christmas Vacation Week. This week, it looks like it will be packed with family-friendly events happening all week. For the most up-to-date information, make sure to bookmark the events page or click the link below!
The Vertical Challenge is set to take on BigRock on January 6, 2024. The Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain.
Advertisements
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides:
The Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides are back in Downtown Rangeley. See the full schedule below!
• Saturday, December 30th • Saturday, January 6th • Saturday, January 13th • Saturday, January 20th • Saturday, January 27th • Saturday, February 3rd • Saturday, February 10th • Saturday, February 17th • Sunday, February 18th 11:30-1:30pm (Winterpaloozah) • Tuesday, February 20th • Thursday, February 22nd • Saturday, February 24th • Saturday, March 2nd • Saturday, March 9th • Saturday, March 16th
Vertical Challenge @ Black Mountain of Maine:
Happening at Black Mountain of Maine on Saturday, January 20, the Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain. Learn more below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
Saddleback will host the Vertical Challenge on Sunday, January 7. The event is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities. Skiers and snowboarders are divided by gender and age to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category. Check it out by clicking the link below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
Since the crazy winter storm that sent the Maine ski scene into a frenzy, ski areas are desperately trying to recover. The week of fog, rain, and warm temps aren’t helping as resorts can’t start snowmaking until the next cold front moves in. In the meantime, we’re praying for snow.
Weather:
While we just have to sit, wait, and hope for snow, the long-term forecast is looking prime for snowmaking. Make sure to check your local mountain’s report to see the latest on snowmaking. I guess if Mother Natute won’t provide it, they’ll just have to make it. Click the link below to see current lift status.
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
0 / 68
0%
Sugarloaf
20 / 176
12%
Sunday River
0 / 139
0%
Pleasant Mountain
11 / 47
25%
Trail of the Day: Tote Road (Sugarloaf)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Santa Visits @ Saddleback
December 23
December 23
One Day
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides in Downtown Rangeley
December 23
December 23
One Day
Christmas Eve Service @ Sugarloaf’s Dick Bell Chapel
December 24
December 24
One Day
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
January 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
2023 Mountains Update:
So… On Monday, December 18, a day that will go down in 2023 skier history, Maine saw over 5 inches of rainfall. Plus, the warm temps melted a lot of snow, making for loads of runoff. River capacity was maxed out, towns flooded, and, roads were washed out, and resorts saw crazy infrastructure damage. This forced the resorts in the state to close down to assess the damage. Make sure to check your local mountain’s report page before planning a return to the mountains.
Christmas Break:
Get ready for the always busy Christmas Vacation Week. This week, it looks like it will be packed with family-friendly events happening all week. For the most up-to-date information, make sure to bookmark the events page or click the link below!
The Vertical Challenge is set to take on BigRock on January 6, 2024. The Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain.
Advertisements
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides:
The Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides are back in Downtown Rangeley. See the full schedule below!
Saturday, December 23rd • Wednesday, December 27th • Saturday, December 30th • Saturday, January 6th • Saturday, January 13th • Saturday, January 20th • Saturday, January 27th • Saturday, February 3rd • Saturday, February 10th • Saturday, February 17th • Sunday, February 18th 11:30-1:30pm (Winterpaloozah) • Tuesday, February 20th • Thursday, February 22nd • Saturday, February 24th • Saturday, March 2nd • Saturday, March 9th • Saturday, March 16th
Opening Days:
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.
Happening at Black Mountain of Maine on Saturday, January 20, the Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain. Learn more below.
Santa Claus is comin’ to town on Saturday, December 23 at Saddleback. He’ll make a stop in Rangeley before heading back to the North Pole to get ready for a busy Christmas Eve! Click the link to read more!
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
Saddleback will host the Vertical Challenge on Sunday, January 7. The event is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities. Skiers and snowboarders are divided by gender and age to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category. Check it out by clicking the link below.
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
Sadly, after Monday’s storm, the resort’s trail counts have been reduced back down to snowmaking trails and very limited lifts. The good thing is that there isn’t a big worry of hitting rocks, stumps, grass, or other early season conditions… It’s just snow!
Weather:
We’re forecasting some better snowmaking weather for the weekend before Christmas Break. Start your vacation off right in the mountains! Click the link below to see current lift status.
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
11 / 68
16%
Sugarloaf
28 / 176
16%
Sunday River
36 / 139
26%
Pleasant Mountain
10 / 47
21%
Trail of the Day: The Main (Pleasant Mountain)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Black Mountain of Maine Hill Climb
December 16
December 16
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
January 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Hill Climb @ Black Mountain of Maine:
Start your engines, Black Mountain of Maine hosting their first hill climb of the season this Saturday, December 16. Gates open at 10am & the race kicks off at 1pm. Spectators are welcome! Learn more about the climb below.
Join Sunday River for their Winterfest Weekend. There will be events for the whole family. With Fireworks, a Torchlight parade, fire dancing, and more! Check it out by clicking the link below.
Get ready for the always busy Christmas Vacation Week. This week, it looks like it will be packed with family-friendly events happening all week. For the most up-to-date information, make sure to bookmark the events page or click the link below!
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
Saddleback will host the Vertical Challenge on Sunday, January 7. The event is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities. Skiers and snowboarders are divided by gender and age to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category. Check it out by clicking the link below.
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and is set to be completed by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.
As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week of the lift construction. See more by clicking the links below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
Sadly, with all the rain, resort’s trail counts have been reduced back down to snowmaking trails. The good thing is that there isn’t a big worry of hitting rocks, stumps, grass, or other early season conditions… It’s just snow!
Weather:
We’re hoping the rain for Sunday will hold off, making for a good weekend of skiing and riding. With five resorts already open, there’s lots of excitement here in the mountains. Welcome to winter, welcome to ski season!
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
67 / 68
99%
Sugarloaf
66 / 176
38%
Sunday River
31 / 139
22%
Pleasant Mountain
5 / 47
11%
Trail of the Day: Blue Devil (Saddleback)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Pleasant Mountain’s Opening Day
December 8
December 8
One Day
Lost Valley’s Opening Day
December 9
December 9
One Day
Barker 6 Opening Day
December 9
December 9
One Day
Demo Day @ Sunday River
December 9
December 9
One Day
Sunday River Santa Sunday
December 10
December 10
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
January 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Pleasant Mountain is Open:
Pleasant Mountain sent their first chair of the season up the Pine Quad at 9:30am this morning. For more information or to stay in the loop, click the link below.
Lost Valley has been cranking out snow and are opening a week earlier than expected. Lost Valley will send the first chair of the season up at 9:00am. They also plan to offer 4 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Pine Grove
Big Buck
Deer Run
Bobcat
Early-season conditions means no easy way down. All trails will be marked as Blue Squares.
For more information, please check out their report page listed below.
The first chair of Sunday River’s latest major project, Barker 6, gets sent up the hill lighting fast, on Saturday, December 9. There will be a raffle for the first chair. For more information, click the link below.
This week, snowmaking crews from BigRock, Camden Snow Bowl, and Mt. Abram all fired up their equipment. While the snow we got on Sunday and Monday will help build bases, we hope it’s just the start of a great season ahead. Bring it on, Mother Nature. For the most current report on your local resorts, click the link below.
Join Sunday River on the slopes with their annual Santa Sunday. The Registration is now open to join the hundreds of Santas sending it down South Ridge. All proceeds go directly to the River Fund, a non-profit organization that supports youth education and recreation in the Bethel area. To sign up, click the link below.
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
Saddleback released a new website that we think looks pretty good! They debuted it for the first weekend of the season, and it will only get better as the season progresses. Check it out below!
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and is set to be completed by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.
As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week of the lift construction. See more by clicking the links below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
Woah! Thanks for all the snow, Mother Nature, we loved it! The snow that fell Sunday night into Monday made for great mid-week skiing out there. We watched Sugarloaf nearly triple their trail count and Sunday River doubled it. We’re looking good as we start December.
Weather:
We’re hoping the rain for Sunday will hold off, making for a good weekend of skiing and riding. With four resorts already open and Lost Valley opening tomorrow, there’s lots of excitement here in the mountains. Welcome to winter, welcome to ski season!
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
0 / 68
0%
Sugarloaf
22 / 176
13%
Sunday River
15 / 139
11%
Pleasant Mountain
0 / 47
0%
Trail of the Day: Timberline (Sugarloaf)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Saddleback Opening Day
December 2
December 2
One Day
Live Auction at Black Mountain of Maine
December 2
December 2
One Day
Barker 6 Opening Day
December 9
December 9
One Day
Demo Day @ Sunday River
December 9
December 9
One Day
Sunday River Santa Sunday
December 10
December 10
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
January 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Saddleback Opens Tomorrow:
Saddleback will send their first chair of the season up the Rangeley Express at 8:30am on Saturday, December 2. The plan is to spin the South Branch, Rangeley, and Kennebago Quads with 10 trails. Those trails could include:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Tri-Color
Blue Devil
Upper Green Weaver
Wheeler Slope
Lower Green Weaver
Royal Tiger
Upper Grey Ghost
Smelt Streamer
Lower Grey Ghost
For more information or to stay in the loop and get ready for opening day, click the link below.
The first chair of Sunday River’s latest major project, Barker 6, gets sent up the hill lighting fast, on Saturday, December 9. There will be a raffle for the first chair. For more information, click the link below.
On Monday night, snowmaking crews from Pleasant Mountain, Lost Valley, and Black Mountain of Maine all fired up their equipment. While the snow we got on Wednesday will help build bases, we hope it’s just the start of “Snowvember”. Bring it on, Mother Nature. For the most current report on your local resorts, click the link below.
Join Sunday River on the slopes with their annual Santa Sunday. The Registration is now open to join the hundreds of Santas sending it down South Ridge. All proceeds go directly to the River Fund, a non-profit organization that supports youth education and recreation in the Bethel area. To sign up, click the link below.
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and is set to be completed by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.
As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week of the lift construction. See more by clicking the links below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
This week’s cold temperatures brought incredible snowmaking temps to the mountains. Mountains were able to crank out that white gold. Expect expansions coming soon! Keep doing those snow dances, Mainely Skiers!
Weather:
While we’re looking forward to Saddleback’s opening day, it’s looking like a bit of a washout. With rain in the forecast for both today and tomorrow, you might want to check with your mountain’s report page before booting up. Keep tabs on the lift status page for more info.
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
0 / 68
0%
Sugarloaf
8 / 176
5%
Sunday River
13 / 139
9%
Pleasant Mountain
0 / 47
0%
Trail of the Day: Kings Landing (Sugarloaf)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Saddleback Pub Opens
November 24
November 24
One Day
Saddleback Opening Day
December 2
December 2
One Day
Live Auction at Black Mountain of Maine
December 2
December 2
One Day
Demo Day @ Sunday River
December 9
December 9
One Day
Sunday River Santa Sunday
December 10
December 10
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
Januaray 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Sunday River / Sugarloaf Is Open:
Last week, both Sunday River and Sugarloaf sent the first chair of the 2023-24 ski season up the hill. Welcome to the start of the ski season. We hope it’s a long and snowy one! Check out the current lift status by clicking the link below!
On Monday night, snowmaking crews from Pleasant Mountain, Lost Valley, and Black Mountain of Maine all fired up their equipment. While the snow we got on Wednesday will help build bases, we hope it’s just the start of “Snowvember”. Bring it on, Mother Nature. For the most current report on your local resorts, click the link below.
The Downeast Ski Club Ski Sale is happening this Saturday from 8:00am – 3:00pm at the Portland Expo in Portland Maine. Admission is free, and thousands of items are up for sale. You’re bound to find great deals all day! For more information, click the link below.
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and is set to be completed by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.
As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week of the lift construction. See more by clicking the links below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
This past week, we were welcomed by the first big storm of the season. Dropping 7-10 inches across the resorts. Keep doing those snow dances!
Weather:
We’re back into snowmaking temps which means the mighty snowmakers headed back to the hill. The good thing is that these temps should allow Saddleback to stick with their opening day, Dec 2. The bad is that we’ll be skiing under snowmaking clouds. These lows should bring some amazing expansions. Keep tabs on the lift status page for more info.
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
0 / 68
0%
Sugarloaf
8 / 176
5%
Sunday River
5 / 139
4%
Pleasant Mountain
0 / 47
0%
Trail of the Day: Lollapalooza (Sunday River)
Upcoming Events:
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Sugarloaf Opening Day
November 17
November 17
One Day
Yarmouth Ski Club Ski Swap
November 18
November 18
One Day
Bridal Show & Tasting @ Sugarloaf
November 19
November 19
One Day
Lonesome Pines Trails Ski Swap
November 19
November 19
One Day
Volunteer Work Day & Brunch @ Big Moose
November 19
November 19
One Day
Thanksgiving Dinner @ Sunday River
November 23
November 23
One Day
Saddleback Pub Opens
November 24
November 24
One Day
Saddleback Opening Day
December 2
December 2
One Day
Live Auction at Black Mountain of Maine
December 2
December 2
One Day
Demo Day @ Sunday River
December 9
December 9
One Day
Sunday River Santa Sunday
December 10
December 10
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
Januaray 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Sunday River / Sugarloaf Is Open:
On Tuesday, Sunday River sent the first chair of the 2023-24 ski season up the hill on their Jordan 8 lift, and this morning, Sugarloaf did the same with their SuperQuad lift. Welcome to the start of the ski season. We hope it’s a long and snowy one! Check out the current lift status by clicking the link below!
On Saturday night, Saddleback’s team of snowmakers took to the hill to show us the first signs of winter. Once there is enough snow to open the trails, they will. Keep doing those snow dances! Click the link to read their report.
Join the Yarmouth Ski Club for their annual Ski Sale happening this Saturday, November 18. Open from 9:00am – 12:00pm, come check out their extensive supply of skis, boots, poles, boards, and more at William H. Rowe School, 52 School St., Yarmouth. For more information, click the link below.
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
This week, Sugarloaf announced $41 early season lift tickets. You need to purchase now as the prices go up after a set number of people purchase. For more information and to purchase your ticket, click the link below!
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
If you’re looking to get married at Sugarloaf, you need to go to their Bridal Show & Tasting. The event occurs on Sunday, November 19, from 1-4pm in the King Pine Room. There will be many different vendors and flavorful dishes being served. For all the details, head over to the website below.
Join Sunday River around the table for a lovely Thanksgiving meal. The folks from Camp will be cooking a tasteful turkey with all the sides you could imagine. Happening from 1-8pm, you can’t miss this!
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
It might only be fall but the folks from Sunday River are already in the winter mindset. This week, the mountain announced a new early-season operating guide. The plan is to start the season off with top-to-bottom skiing and riding off their Jordan 8 lift. They hope to have “multiple trail choices” serviced from the Jordan 8. For more information and to stay in the know, click the link below.
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and is set to be completed by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.
As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
We saw the start to the 2023-24 ski season this week as Sunday River opened this Tuesday and Sugarloaf sent their first chair up the SuperQuad this morning at 8:30. Here we go! Think cold temps and snow.
Weather:
While we might be skiing, the temps suggest otherwise. On the bright side, the warm temps will allow the tired snowmakers to get some much needed rest, before returning to the hills next week.
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Fall Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!
Photo: Maine Drone Imaging
Pleasant Mountain Job Fair:
Pleasant Mountain is hosting a job fair on Saturday, November 11, from 12 to 3pm in Blizard’s Pub. All hiring managers will be on-site, ready to answer your questions. Check it out by clicking the link below.
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Job Fair @ Pleasant Mountain
November 11
November 11
One Day
Auburn Ski Association’s 58th Annual Ski Swap
November 12
November 12
One Day
Sugarloaf Opening Day
November 17
November 17
One Day
Live Auction @ Big Moose Mountain
November 18
November 18
One Day
Yarmouth Ski Club Ski Swap
November 18
November 18
One Day
Bridal Show & Tasting @ Sugarloaf
November 19
November 19
One Day
Thanksgiving Dinner @ Sunday River
November 23
November 23
One Day
Saddleback Pub Opens
November 24
November 24
One Day
Live Auction at Black Mountain of Maine
December 2
December 2
One Day
Demo Day @ Sunday River
December 9
December 9
One Day
Sunday River Santa Sunday
December 10
December 10
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
Januaray 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Black Mountain Guide:
Check out one of the newest pages on the website, Black Mountain Guide. With all the relevant information needed for a great day at Black Mountain, it’s worth the time to check it out!
Auburn Ski Association’s 58th Annual Ski Swap is happening this Sunday from 9-2pm at Lost Valley. Come out to support the local teams and various other programs Auburn Ski Association supports, including the Merrick Learn to Ski/Ride! For more information, click the link below.
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now.
Mountain Name
Opening Date
Saddleback Mountain
December 2
Sugarloaf
November 17
Sunday River
November 16
Pleasant Mountain
December 16
Black Mountain of Maine
December 26
Big Rock
Not Announced
Camden Snow Bowl
December 26
Mt. Abram
Not Announced
Big Moose Mountain
December 26
Lost Valley
December 18
Hermon Mountain
December 30
Titcomb Mountain
Not Announced
Big Projects For Big Moose:
Big Moose Mountain in Greenville, formally named Big Squaw, needs your help. The mountain has been hard at work reclaiming the upper mountain trails by bringing them back to skiable terrain. This is only made possible due to the support on GoFundMe. The mountain has raised about 30% of their goal of $60,000. If you’ve skied here before the upper mountain closed in 2004, you know it was a special experience. You can help bring this back by donating to the mountain’s GoFundMe. Click the link below to see the money raised and donate. Click here: link
The Friends of the Mountain, the non-profit group that owns Big Moose, is under an agreement to bring a Mombardier 13 Passenger Snow Cat from Colorado to Maine. Currently, they are offering partnership and pre-buy options for your trip to the summit. You can purchase below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
This week, Sugarloaf announced $41 early season lift tickets. You need to purchase now as the prices go up after a set number of people purchase. For more information and to purchase your ticket, click the link below!
The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
If you’re looking to get married at Sugarloaf, you need to go to their Bridal Show & Tasting. The event occurs on Sunday, November 19, from 1-4pm in the King Pine Room. There will be many different vendors and flavorful dishes being served. For all the details, head over to the website below.
Join Sunday River around the table for a lovely Thanksgiving meal. The folks from Camp will be cooking a tasteful turkey with all the sides you could imagine. Happening from 1-8pm, you can’t miss this!
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
It might only be fall but the folks from Sunday River are already in the winter mindset. This week, the mountain announced a new early-season operating guide. The plan is to start the season off with top-to-bottom skiing and riding off their Jordan 8 lift. They hope to have “multiple trail choices” serviced from the Jordan 8. For more information and to stay in the know, click the link below.
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr, and is set to be completed by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.
As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
This week, more places in Maine saw some fresh snow. It’s an exciting time as Sugarloaf is planning to send the first chair up the mountain next Friday.
Weather:
While will you look at that – clear snowmaking temps throughout the weekend. With the jet stream sending cold weather our way, I think this will be a good chunk of time for snowmaking.
Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Fall Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!
We Have Snow:
The Maine mountains have snow! This is the first time we’ve seen new snowfall since mid-April. Not like I’ve been counting or anything… Bring it on, Mother Nature! We’re ready.
Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here
Event Name:
Start Date:
End Date:
Occurrence:
Freeport Ski Boosters Ski Swap & Sale
November 4
November 4
One Day
Maine Ski And Snowboard Hall of Fame Induction
November 4
November 4
One Day
Daylight Savings Ends (Fall Back)
November 5
November 5
One Day
Sugarloaf Opening Day
November 17
November 17
One Day
Live Auction @ Big Moose Mountain
November 18
November 18
One Day
Bridal Show & Tasting @ Sugarloaf
November 19
November 19
One Day
Thanksgiving Dinner @ Sunday River
November 23
November 23
One Day
Saddleback Pub Opens
November 24
November 24
One Day
Live Auction at Black Mountain of Maine
December 2
December 2
One Day
Demo Day @ Sunday River
December 9
December 9
One Day
Sunday River Santa Sunday
December 10
December 10
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
Januaray 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Maine Hall of Fame:
The 2023 Maine Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Induction is happening this Saturday, November 4, at Sugarloaf. Join the Maine skiing community as we honor the newest Hall of Fame inductees: Harry and Martha Baxter, Don, Norton, and Stuart Cross, Paul Emerson, Mike Gammon, Ron Gifford, Ron Jacques, Bruce Johnson, Frank Langlois, and Jeff Rosenberg.
Black Mountain Guide:
Check out one of the newest pages on the website, Black Mountain Guide. With all the relevant information needed for a great day at Black Mountain, it’s worth the time to check it out!
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now.
Mountain Name
Opening Date
Saddleback Mountain
December 2
Sugarloaf
November 17
Sunday River
November 16
Pleasant Mountain
December 16
Black Mountain of Maine
December 26
Big Rock
Not Announced
Camden Snow Bowl
December 26
Mt. Abram
Not Announced
Big Moose Mountain
December 26
Lost Valley
December 18
Hermon Mountain
December 30
Titcomb Mountain
Not Announced
Freeport Ski Swap & Sale:
Join the Freeport Ski Boosters Club at Freeport High School from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, November 4, for their annual Ski Swap & Sale. Plus, don’t forget to stop by the Black Mountain of Maine table for the chance to win season passes for a family of 4! For more information, click the link below.
Big Moose Mountain in Greenville, formally named Big Squaw, needs your help. The mountain has been hard at work reclaiming the upper mountain trails by bringing them back to skiable terrain. This is only made possible due to the support on GoFundMe. The mountain has raised about 30% of their goal of $60,000. If you’ve skied here before the upper mountain closed in 2004, you know it was a special experience. You can help bring this back by donating to the mountain’s GoFundMe. Click the link below to see the money raised and donate. Click here: link
The Friends of the Mountain, the non-profit group that owns Big Moose, is under an agreement to bring a Mombardier 13 Passenger Snow Cat from Colorado to Maine. Currently, they are offering partnership and pre-buy options for your trip to the summit. You can purchase below.
It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.
If you’re looking to get married at Sugarloaf, you need to go to their Bridal Show & Tasting. The event occurs on Sunday, November 19, from 1-4pm in the King Pine Room. There will be many different vendors and flavorful dishes being served. For all the details, head over to the website below.
Join Sunday River around the table for a lovely Thanksgiving meal. The folks from Camp will be cooking a tasteful turkey with all the sides you could imagine. Happening from 1-8pm, you can’t miss this!
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
Sugarloaf recently updated their trail map to show the new Bucksaw area. The map has a few changes compared to the previous one, which was their map for over two years. See for yourself here: sugarloaf.com Also, if you want to be in the know, head over to the Sugarloaf Mountain Guide – linked below.
It might only be fall but the folks from Sunday River are already in the winter mindset. This week, the mountain announced a new early-season operating guide. The plan is to start the season off with top-to-bottom skiing and riding off their Jordan 8 lift. They hope to have “multiple trail choices” serviced from the Jordan 8. For more information and to stay in the know, click the link below.
The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.
The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr and is set to be complete by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.
As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.
Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!
This week showed us what Mother Nature can do around Old Man Winter. The mountains of Maine saw snow early this week. Plus, with Sunday River making snow, it’s only a matter of time before we’ll be back on the skis. Keep those snow dances going, Mainely Skiers!
Weather:
While today’s temps aren’t the best for snowmaking, the lows for Saturday and Sunday are promising.
Mainely Skiing 